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2018

In the last few years we have seen everything from fridges to doorbells connecting to the internet. A smart home is a house with all of your important devices connected to the internet, allowing you to communicate and interact with them.

Smart home devices are part of The Internet of Things, where everything is connected to the internet. The idea of the IoT has been around for a while but its only recently that we have started to see an explosion of internet connected home devices. Some of the most popular selling smart home devices include the Amazon Alexa and Belkins smart plug sockets.

Smart devices allow for home automation – automating control of devices around the home. Just by talking to a virtual assistant you can control lighting and music around the house.

Philips Hue Smart Lightbulbs

The Philips Hue range includes Smart colour changing lightbulbs that you can control via a mobile application. The Philips Hue range has a large variety to fit different budgets. The cheapest of the range are the white bulbs which only allow for dimming. After that you have the ambience bulbs which allow you to change the colour temperature of the light from warm orange to a cold white natural light. The best in the range is the colour changing ambience bulbs which allow for over 16 million colours which can be controlled via the app. As well as light bulbs you can now also purchase smart LED strips and light switches to take your smart home to the next level. The devices connect via the Hue Bridge which is required when you buy your first bulbs and supports up to 50 bulbs and 10 accessories. Amazon has a great range of Philips Hue starter kits that include the the Philips Hue Bridge, along with different sets of lightbulbs.

Amazon Echo (2nd Generation)

When you think of smart home, The Amazon echo is probably one of the first devices you think of. Well, the new 2nd generation device adds some welcome improvement over the already fantastic first generation device. The Amazon Echo is a smart speaker that can be controlled with your voice and uses the Alexa voice service to respond to you. You can ask Alexa “What’s on my calendar today” and even ask it to order products from Amazon. Where the Echo shine is if you use it in combination with other smart devices. for example if you use Phillips Hue, you can ask Alexa to “Turn on the lights”.

The Echo is also a powerful speaker that can fill the room with sound and works with Spotify. The 2nd generation device has Dolby tuned sound and added base for better quality audio. If you have more than one echo, you can also now do multi-room audio, by asking Alexa to play music across all of your echo devices. The new Echo also has a range of finishes to fit any house including an Oak, charcoal and Sandstone finish. Did we mention it is also cheaper than the original Echo at just £89?

Logitech Harmony Remote

Do you find you have a pile of remote controls for different devices ? The Logitech Harmony remote allows for the seamless control of up to 15 devices in the home. It goes a lot further than just the living room and can be used to control kitchen appliances and lights. The Harmony remote can control Netflix, Sonos, Philips Hue, Nest and much more. There are a number of different Harmony models at different prices, with our favourite being the Harmony Elite which boasts stylish looks and a solid range of features.

Nest cam Outdoor Security Camera

Security and IP cameras have seen a huge popularity surge in recent years, with many of us using them to check the house while we are out or keep an eye on cars parked outside. The Nest Cam Outdoor helps you look after your home 24/7 and is protected against the elements of the weather. The camera plugs into an outdoor socket so its never going to run out of charge and uses a mobile app to alert your phone of activity. This camera also comes with the option to purchase a NestAware subscription with enables cloud services which includes enhanced features and the option to make continuous backups of video to the cloud.

TP-Link Smart Plug

Smart plugs are a really cool bit of technology that allow you to control your plugs from anywhere. Want to turn a lamp on at night or check you’ve turned the plugs off ? smart plugs allow you to do just that. The TP-Link smart home plug is compatible with iOS, Android & Echo and allows you to control and automate plug sockets. The device is incredibly easy to set-up, allowing you to access your devices from your finger tips. You can also use scheduling to turn devices on as and when they are needed such as turning a light on for when you wake up. The Kasa app, which is used to control the smart plug is used to controll all TP-Link smart devices, one app for all keeps everything simple and easy to control. There is also an upgraded model available, which monitors energy consumption.

Nest learning Thermostat (3rd Generation)

Looking to save money the smart way ? The new Nest Learning Thermostat has a bigger, sharper display than before. The smart thermostat learns from you and what temperature you like when you are at home. When you are out it turns the temperature down to save you money on heating bills. You can control your hot water from anywhere with the Nest thermostat mobile application. The auto-away feature will automatically turn heating down when you are away. The Nest Learning Thermostat is compatible with most modern central heating systems and should be installed by a professional.

Amazon Echo Show

The Echo Show is a new generation of smart home assistants that include a screen for added functionality. Responses from Alexa are now enhanced with visual aids for better visibility from across the room. The Echo Show has eight separate microphones to hear you from the other side of the room. and includes all of the features of the standard Echo but with the addition of the screen. The drop in feature allows for video calling feature with friends and family. The Dolby tuned sound means you get great sounding audio when playing all of your favourite songs from Amazon music and Spotify.

Samsung SmartThings starter kit

SmartThings from Samsung makes it easy to turn your home into a smart home. This starter kit includes a hub, two multi-purpose sensors, one motion sensor and an outlet. The starter kit is a great choice to start kitting out your smart home. The hub is essential for connecting other smart gadgets to and allows you to get alerts from the sensors right on your phone. SmartThings works with Alexa and works with a variety of accessories including connected lights, door locks and video cameras.

Yale Conexis smart Door Lock

Yale is a leading provider of home security accessories and this smart door lock allows you to secure your home the smart way. Using the mobile application you can unlock your door via Bluetooth. The lock can also be opened using key tags that can be attached to your keyring and take up less space than a traditional key. Another cool feature is being able to see whois home by getting a mobile notification when someone unlocks the door. The smart lock is easy to fit and you can do it yourself with just a screwdriver and a smartphone.

TP-Link Smart LED WiFi light bulb

Like the idea of the Philips Hue but looking for something less expensive or only need one bulb ? This smart light bulb from TP-Link is inexpensive and does not require a hub where as other systems such as the Philips Hue do. The smart light bulb is as easy to install as a normal bulb and connects to your home Wi-Fi through the mobile application. There is a good choice of settings including the ability to set-up schedules for the bulb to come on and also adjust the brightness. Where this bulb is really good is if you are already using a smart home assistant as it can connect to Alexa to allow for voice control. There are a number of different options available which feature different colours and added features.

Tado Smart Radiator Thermostat

These smart radiator thermostats from Tado help save money on heating and make your home more comfortable. The application allows you to control your radiators from anywhere. Meaning you can turn them on before you leave work so you house is nice and warm when you get back. You can install the smart kit yourself and they are compatible with most radiators. They also feature a modern display on the thermostats themselves which displays the currently selected radiator temperature.

Google Home Mini

The Google Home products are an expanding eco-system of smart home assistant products from Google. The Home Mini is a small and compact device that is powered by Google Assistant. You can quickly get answers from Google and also use the device to control your other smart home devices. The device features 360-degree sound and also allows for hands-free calling. There are several colours available including Chalk and Coral.

BeON Home Protection system

BeON provides automated security and lighting for the home. There are lots of clever features built into the system including the ability learn your light patterns so it knows when to turn the light on when you are out. It does this by mimicking the natural patterns of when you use your lights, to appear believable and keep your home secure. If your power goes out or fire alarm is activated, the BeON system can protect your house by providing instant-on lighting. A clever feature of this system is that it can respond to your doorbell, making it appear that someone is in by switching on the lights. The cool mobile application allows you to control your lighting from your phone and uses Bluetooth with no additional hub required.

Amazon Echo Dot

The Echo Dot, from Amazon is a voice controlled smart device that uses the Alexa voice assistant. you can do things such as control smart devices, play music, set alarms and read the news. Unlike the standard Echo, the Dot requires connection to speakers via the 3.5mm aux port or Bluetooth. This allows you to use Alexa with your own powerful speakers or home audio system. The dot contains 7 far-field microphones to it can hear you from across the room, even in noisy environments. Alexa is always getting smarter and will continue to add new features and skills in the future. You can purchase the Dot in a three pack, allowing you to place them in separate rooms throughout your house.

Smart Wall Light Switch

There is a big range of smart light bulbs online, but you can also get smart light switches. This contemporary looking light switch allows you to control your lights using Alexa and also the smartphone application. The Tempered glass touch panel is water & moisture proof to protect against electric shocks. The light switch connects to your Wi-Fi and allows you to control the light switch from anywhere in the world on your phone.

Furbo Dog Camera

The Furbo dog camera is a fun way to dispense treats to your dog using your smart phone. The dispenser can hold up to 100 treats, and you can control the device from anywhere. There is a night vision, full HD camera which allows you see what your pet is up to. The wide angle lens allows you to see all of the room, day or night. You can also talk to your dog via the built in speaker and microphone. Furthermore, the intelligent sensors can send you a notification when you dog starts barking so that you can check in on them. The device features an easy set-up which involves connecting the dog camera to your Wi-Fi and smartphone via the free application.

Netatmo Welcome

The Netatmo Welcome is a smart home camera that features facial recognition. Unlike most motion detection systems, which just alert you to motion, this device sends you a notification to your phone, along with a picture of the intruder. The devices features a set-up using the mobile application and should be positioned facing the front door. The camera uses infrared technology to get clear footage, even in the dark.The alarm detection feature listens out for alarms and sends you a notification, along with video footage if it hears one go off. You can store the recorded footage using an SD card or in the cloud.

Orbi Whole Home Wi-Fi

One of the most important aspects of a smart home is the Wi-Fi network that is keeping it all together. In some houses you may find you Wi-Fi is lacking if you are using your ISP issued router. The Orbi whole home Wi-Fi system provides coverage all over your house at super fast speeds. The system uses various access points positioned around the house, but with one network, for seamless roaming all around the home. You can also set up a guest network, which is ideal for when friends and family come to visit. What I really like about this system, is that it integrates with Alexa voice control to allow you to control your home network.

Ring Video Doorbell

The video doorbell from Ring is a wireless doorbell that can be mounted in any position. You can view live recordings from the device on your smartphone or tablet via the app. You can view outside of your door from anywhere, the doorbell can sense if theres someone outside so you can see exactly whats going on. The night vision camera also allows for 24hr monitoring, providing a clear image, even in the dark. The two-way audio feature allows you to communicate with he person at the door, even who you are not. You can also get cloud storage from Ring, to keep a copy of the footage that you have recorded.

Bosch Smart Home Smoke detector

This smart smoke detector from Bosch alerts you to smoke in the home. The device is easy to set-up using your mobile and scanning a QR code to connect. Just like other smart home devices, this also requires a smart hub which is sold separately. There is also an intruder alarm to discourage unwanted guests.

Every business should have a website if they want to take advantage of the huge potential customers on the internet. Instead of advertising, the majority of businesses are now discovered through search engines such as Google. If you are starting a website or blog, the first thing you need is the best web hosting. A web host will host all of the data for your website on one of their servers in a data centre. Your website will be delivered from the server, to a visitor as they browse your website. Depending on the technologies used by the web host, some may deliver your data faster, which will result in faster page load times.

There is huge variety in the services offered from web hosting providers and also a substantial difference in price. Making the choice on which web host to use will depend on the requirements your business website such as the amount of data storage you need and the the level of traffic you expect. For more information about the features of web hosting, take a look at the FAQ near the end of the post.

I have hosted a number of websites on Evo Hosting and i’ve now been using them for over six years. Evo Hosting prides itself on super fast web hosting which always means websites a quick to load, even with a lot of content. Furthermore Evo Hosting takes backups every night to ensure all of your websites data is secure. Customer service is also very good with Evo Hosting. Over the years I have had a few issues with updates on my websites which have left me needing support. The email support I have received has always been very fast and quickly got my website back up and running.

Evo Hosting offers a free domain when you purchase a years web hosting. I found the Home Plan to be a good blend of cost and features which will be fine for most websites. Once you purchase hosting you can use the 1 click installer and there are over 300 scripts available.

LCN was founded over 17 years ago in 2000 and claims to provide everything you need to get online. The website is very easy to navigate due to there being no technical jargon which makes it easy to find the hosting package right for you. The support from LCN is some of the best on offer with 7 day customer support and a variety of ways to contact including via phone, email & social media.

What I really like about LCN is the account dashboard which is very modern and easy to navigate. Everything is easily accessible and makes tasks such as updating details very easy. LCN also provides a great webmail experience which makes your emails easily accessible from any device.

Looking for one of the largest web hosts on the internet ? 123-Reg has services connected to over 1 Million UK websites. I have used 123-Reg several times and find them great for small business websites. If you are new to websites, their hosting is easy to use to help speed up the process of getting your website online. The simple control panel is quick to navigate and the support articles make it easy to get help when you need it. As well as hosting, 123-Reg also provides a range of additional services such as SEO & email marketing to help get your small business website off the ground.

You have most likely already seen their adverts somewhere, but GoDaddy are the worlds number 1 web host. GoDaddy has support available 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. Furthermore they offer 99.9% uptime to ensure your website is always online when your customers go to visit. As with other web hosting, goDaddy offers easy installation of popular scripts such as WordPress and Joomla. GoDaddy offers unmetered bandwidth to ensure you never run out, even with a large amount of visitors and also offers a free domain with annual web hosting purchases.

If super fast web hosting is your main priority, a2 Hosting makes a great choice. If you look around their website you will see they have won a number of awards for the speed of their hosting service. Using solid state servers, they claim you can achieve up to 20x faster speeds. a2 Hosting provides support 24/7 to ensure you can always get help when you need it and also offers free migration if you are moving from another host. If you are planning on creating a website that hosts a lot of media content, using high speed servers will help to ensure you achieve minimum page load time.

Web hosting FAQ

What is a domain name ?

Your websites domain name is the address that visitors will enter to go to your website. A domain name starts with WWW and can have many different suffixes, the most comm including .uk, .com, .net & .org. A domain is required to provide a link to access your hosted website and without a domain name it would be very difficult for potential visitors to access your website. Luckily, domain names are pretty cheap and a lot of web hosts will provide a domain name for free when you purchase web hosting. You can purchase a domain name from another company and connect if to your website. However this is slightly more difficult and probably best to avoid if this is your first website.

How much storage do I need ?

The storage of your web hosting package decides how much data you can keep on the website. Starter web hosting packages may include just 500mb storage, where as bigger business plan packages may include 20 GB. If you are starting a website for your small business that will mostly include text and a few pictures, 1 GB hosting will most likely suffice. However, If you are starting a blog and will be sharing a large number of posts including pictures and other media then you will be best getting more storage. If you plan on hosting a website revolving around media such as a photography or video website, you are going to require more storage. You can normally easily upgrade your storage if you find yourself running out of room further down the line.

Why does bandwidth matter ?

A hosting packages bandwidth is the amount of data that can be transferred between the web host and visitors. Each time a visitor views a page on your website, the data/content of that webpage is transferred to the visitors browser. The data is typically a small amount but when you are getting thousands of visitors it can all add up. The amount of bandwidth you need will depend both on the number of visitors to your website and also the type of content your website contains. for example if your website is streaming videos it will use a lot more bandwidth than a website containing mostly text. Just like with storage, it is normally easy to upgrade bandwidth if you need more later.

What is the difference between shared and dedicated hosting ?

Shared web hosting is where a web hosting company will host a large number of different websites on the same server. This is fine for most of the websites on the internet and if you are a small or medium business, this is is all you need. On the other hand, a dedicated server only hosts your website on that server. Dedicated servers are often very expensive and require more technical knowledge. Only large websites that use a lot of resources need a dedicated server.

What is WordPress hosting ?

Many web hosts now offer WordPress hosting separately to their normal web hosting packages. However it is not needed to how a WordPress website. WordPress web hosting usually helps you by automatically managing things such as instillation and updating the CMS. Their servers are sometimes tuned to provide better performance for WordPress websites. WordPress hosting is often more expensive and is not essential for your website even if you plan on using WordPress as it can be easily installed within minutes.

How important is UK Based & 24/7 support ?

Theres nothing worse than trying to access your website and for some reason you just can’t get on. This is when you really need a good support service to get you back up and running as soon as possible. Web hosting support teams can usually identify the problems in minutes and have you back up and running a lot faster compared to you trying to find the issue on your own.

How important is up-time ?

The up-time is the amount of time as a percentage the web host claims your website will be online over a given period. A website could be offline for a number of given reasons including server faults, web host performing upgrades and hacking attempts. If you website is not online it means no potential customers will be able to get access. A higher up-time normally indicates a higher quality web host.

What is SSL protection ?

Secure Sockets Layer protection allows a visitor to establish a secure encrypted connection between your website and their computer. This prevents potential hackers from making sense of any intercepted data sent between your website and the visitors computer. SSL protection is not essential, but more websites are starting to take advantage of the feature. Whether you need it will depend on the type of website you are setting up. SSL protection is not really needed on a blog but essential on a website taking private customer information and payment details.

Am I best paying annually ?

You can normally pay monthly or annually for web hosting. However I always recommend paying annually as you can achieve a significant discount. furthermore, some UK web hosts also offer a free domain name if you decide to pay annually.

Do I need much technical knowledge ?

Most web hosts have now made it extremely easy to set-up web hosting without any technical knowledge. With easy to use dashboards, web hosting is now easy to navigate and there is often lots of support materials available on the hosts website. Furthermore, most content management systems such as WordPress can easily be installed with just a few clicks.

Should I read others reviews ?

Not sure about which web host to go with ? take a look at other customers reviews of the web hosts. There are normally loads of reviews for each web host that you can find using Google. Checking out reviews will give you a valuable insight from other customers to see if the hosting company is living up to their claims.

How long does it take to activate web hosting ?

Getting your hosting account set-up and activated is actually a very quick process. once you have chose your hosting package and domain name, it usually takes just minutes to get everything up and running. This means you can begin working on your website the same day.

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In the last few years we have seen everything from fridges to doorbells connecting to the internet. A smart home is a house with all of your important devices connected to the internet, allowing you to communicate and interact with them. Smart home devices are part of The Internet of Things, where everything is connected […]